Foreign workers' service limit in Taiwan extended from 9 to 12 years

2012/01/19 22:30:00

Taipei, Jan. 19 (CNA) The Legislature amended the Employment Services Act Thursday so that foreign workers, who currently are allowed to stay a maximum of nine years, will be able to work in Taiwan for as many as 12 years.

Under the amendment, foreign workers, domestic helpers, caregivers and fishing boat workers will all have their service limit extended from nine to 12 years.

The revision was a response, in part, to Red Cross Society President C.V. Chen's appeal that his disabled son's foreign caregiver be given more time to continue his service as the caregiver's contract was to expire soon.

The amendment was approved after the ruling Kuomintang's (KMT's) legislative caucus made the proposal, which prompted opposition Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Huang Sue-ying to criticize the KMT's President Ma Ying-jeou for allowing an amendment that would benefit his supporters in the business world.

Moreover, Huang said extending the service limit for foreign blue-collar workers will impact the interests of local workers.

KMT Legislator Chiang Yi-hsiung said the government should not extend the time for foreign industrial workers and domestic helpers whose jobs could be taken over by local workers.